I may be relocating to a much colder climate compared to my current location in Utah, which is already fairly cold in the Winter. I've been using Valvoline or Castrol GTX conventional oils in my vehicles for over 20 years. I change my oil no later than 3,000 miles or every three months. I avoid short trips, excessive idiling, and stop and go driving whenever possible. I've never had any oil-related engine problems.

I've had 2 high performance cars that I used synth in, but they were high horsepower (400-500 whp )fast reving cars. I changed the synth every 2500 miles so it did get expensive. If you are just doing normal driving under normal conditions, regular oil should be fine. You can try synth for one change and see if you get more life out of it, but the cost will probably offset any longevity.

I've had 2 high performance cars that I used synth in, but they were high horsepower (400-500 whp )fast reving cars. I changed the synth every 2500 miles so it did get expensive. If you are just doing normal driving under normal conditions, regular oil should be fine. You can try synth for one change and see if you get more life out of it, but the cost will probably offset any longevity.

I may be relocating to a much colder climate compared to my current location in Utah, which is already fairly cold in the Winter. I've been using Valvoline or Castrol GTX conventional oils in my vehicles for over 20 years. I change my oil no later than 3,000 miles or every three months. I avoid short trips, excessive idiling, and stop and go driving whenever possible. I've never had any oil-related engine problems.

What do the 'Wrenches' amongst us think about this subject?

- Art

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It depends on the age (in mileage) and condition of your engine. Although synthetics won't burn, they will tend to leak more than dino oil if seals have worn even slightly.

One time I had my car (Evo IIIV )out for a day of autocross and beat the hell out of it for about 8 hours......changed the oil the next day... it was turning black with less than 1000 miles on the oil (mobil one synth).

Just because its synth, doesn't mean you won't burn it up if your redline @ 8200 and boosting 24-25 psi.

Actually most manufactures who require high preformance synth, also require you to change it every 3000 miles.

But if you have a regular performer/daily driver and are not towing , the cost of the extended life synth may not offset the savings/longevity. especially if your doing fine on reg oil.

OK, so Synthetics can last longer between oil changes than regular oils, I can understand that, but I saw a TV ad (forget the brand)for some that were rated to 15,000 miles!???!?!??! (IRRC the ad covered 3 synth oils rated for 5K 7K and 15K) Is that possible, likely, or a good idea even if they do say so? I can see going up to 5K or so, but is 15K possible?

Hey there, if you are moving to a cooler climate, just use a lighter oil in the winter.

Has anyone noticed that many cars nowadays are calling for 5W30 as the oil to use year round?

As for synthetic;if you are going to use that, best to start when the car is brand spanking new. If you wait till it ages a bit, it's not going to be of any real benefit. I don't remember all the tecnical reasons why, but thats what many techs I've worked with for the past 17 years have said.

Just change it at regular intervals, and keep it full. You will be golden

Nothing stirs up a good debate on a car forum like an oil argument! Seems there are more myths and urban legends about oil than there are about UFOs. The science of motor oil is a very complex thing, there's a lot going on when oil is being pumped, cooked and sheared in your engine. BTW I use only Valvoline dino oil.

I switched my 8V, non-turbo VW Golf over to synth (mostly Mobil 1 15W-50, sometimes Castrol SynTec 5W-50 in colder weather) at about 50,000 miles. Over 185,000 miles later, the engine still runs great and consumes less than half a quart every change interval (about 8,000 miles). Another thing I've also done to try to avoid wear is keeping the engine under 3,000 rpm as much as possible until it has gotten appreciably on its way to regular operating temperature.

So far, I've been pleased with synth oil. The engine has already far outlasted the car's original driver's seat.

Nothing stirs up a good debate on a car forum like an oil argument! Seems there are more myths and urban legends about oil than there are about UFOs. The science of motor oil is a very complex thing, there's a lot going on when oil is being pumped, cooked and sheared in your engine. BTW I use only Valvoline dino oil.

Q: How many jet engines run on dino oil? A: 0%
Q: How many jet engines run on synth oil? A: 100%

Synth oil flows easier in colder weather. One reason is because synth oils are non-organic so they don't clump/coke like dino oils.

I own a turbo car that I run to the redline regularly when I drive. In order to provide the best protection to my engine I run synth oil. BTW, synth oil isn't new, Mobil 1 came onto the auto market in '76.